This position is located in the Environment and Development Division. The incumbent reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme as First Reporting Officer and the Executive Secretary as Second Reporting Officer.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme, and overall supervision and strategic guidance from the Executive Secretary, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:

• Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Division under his/her responsibility including climate change, air pollution, ecosystem health, sustainable cities and the environmental dimensions of sustainable development.
• Co-ordinates with all relevant Divisions, agencies and bodies of the United Nations system that oversee the above areas, under the Division’s domain; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others.
• Promotes and produces knowledge products in areas under the Division’s oversight.
• Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
• Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
• Prepares the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
• Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical and gender balance.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across organizational boundaries.
• Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
• Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Represents the Division at international, regional or national meetings.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, environmental economics, natural resource management, or related field.
A PhD in the above fields will be an advantage.
A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in the field of environment and sustainable development is required.
Experience in supporting policy-making at the international level related to environment and sustainable development is required.
Experience in leading and managing a work unit with more than five professional staff is required.
Demonstrated experience in organizing and supporting intergovernmental meetings is desirable.
Experience of developing knowledge products on environment and sustainable development issues is desirable.
Demonstrated experience in providing technical support for national capacity building in environmental issues through missions, expert consultations, technical meetings or training workshops is desirable.
Work experience in the Asia-Pacific region as demonstrated by living and working in the region outside of home country is highly desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

This vacancy is archived.

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